Liquid-metal transfer apparatus



Mar. 20, 1923. 31,449,242.

' A. c. NELSON ET AL.

LIQUID METAL TRANSFER APPARATUS.

F|LED FEB. 16. 1922. 2 SHEETSSHEET 1- was N INVENTOR A C. NELSON ET AL.

LIQUI D METAL TRANSFER APPARATUS.

FILED FEB.16, 192,2. 2 SHEETSSHEET 2.

Patented Mar. 239, i923.

ALFRED G. NELSON, OF LAKEN'OOD, AND EDGAR J. REILLY, OF YOUNGSTOWN, OHIO, ASSIGNORS TO THE \IVILLIATE B. POLLOCK COMPANY, OF YOUNGSTOWN, OHIO, A

CORPORATION OF OHIO.

LIQUID-BEETAL TRANSFER APPARATUS.

Application filed February 16, 1922.

To alt whom it may concern Be it known that we, ALFRED G. NnLsoN and EDGAR J. RniLLY, citizens of the United States, residing at Lakewood, county of tluyahoga, Ohio, and idoungstown, county of Mahoning, State of Ohio, respectively, have invented a new and useful improvement in Liquid-lvletal Transfer Apparatus, of which the follo ing is a full, clear, and exact description, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, forming part of this specification, in which Figure 1 is a top plan view of an apparatus constructed in accordance with the present invention, and

Figure 2 is an end elevation of the construction illustrated in Figure 1.

The present invention relates broadly to apparatus for the transfer of liquid metal, and more particularly to an apparatus whereby metal as delivered in molten condition from a furnace may be transferred to molds or the like.

It has heretofore been proposed to construct ladles adapted to be normally supported in fixed bearings which are either in the form of stands definitely located, or carried by cars. Most of these devices have been constructed for use with open top ladles. The present invention has relation more particularly to an apparatus adapted to utilize a cylindrical or closed ladle and embodies improvements in the mounting thereof whereby the ladle may be moved from one position to another with a minimum expenditure of power.

Referring more particularly to the drawings, there is disclosed an apparatus of the character referred to comprisinga delivery spout 2 adapted to receive molten metal from a furnace, not shown, at one end and deliver the same to a ladle or ladles 3. This spout is provided with a pivotal mounting 4 whereby it may be moved to inoperative position as shown in Figure 2 by dotted lines, when it is desired to empty the ladle 3. For effecting such movement of the spout 2 there may be provided an operating cable 5 secured in any desired manner to the free end of the delivery spout and thence passing over a pulley 6 carried by the crane frame 7.

With the parts in the position illustrated in full lines in Figure 2 metal delivered to Serial No. 536,902.

the spout 2 will be discharged into the ladies 3 through the openings 8. Each of these ladles is preferably of the closed or cylindrical type having secured to each end thereof an eccentrically mounted trunnion 9. These trunnions are carried by open top bearings 10 mounted on a frame work 11 supported adjacent the pit 12 in any desired manner. At one side of the trunnions 9 are formed stops 13 adapted to definitely position the ladles when receiving molten metal For discharging the ladles, they may be provided with yokes 14 for the attachment of a flexible cable 15 the opposite end of which is secured to an eyelet 16 adapted to receive the hoisting hook .17 of an overhead crane 18 of any desired construction. By reason of the construction provided it will be apparent that the initial lifting movement of the hook 17 is effective for producing a true rotational movement of the ladles about the axis of rotation A of the trunnions 9 within the bearings 10. This rotational movement will have the effect of gradually shifting the center of gravity B of the liquid content of the container from the position shown in full lines in Figure 2. .l.his operation will continue until the open bearings 19 projecting upwardly from the ladles engage the stationary pins 20 mounted in the stands 21. Continued upward movement of the hooks 17 will result in lifting the ladles bodily from the bearings 10 and produce a rotational movement thereof about the pins 20. This movement will be effective for bringing the discharge spouts 22 into cooperative relation with the runner 23. 1 his runner may deliver the molten metal to molds 2a or other devices as may be desired.

lVhile we have illustrated a plurality of ladies, it will be apparent that a single ladle may be utilized if desired, and that the delivery spout and runner may be correspmidingly modified.

By reason of the construction provided. we are enabled to obtain the advantages resulting from the use of closed ladles. The ladles may also be operated with. a minimum of power about their eccentric trunnions by reason of the initial rotational movement which is effective for shifti the cente of gravity of the molten material and also for shortening the effective distance between the pin 20 and thecent'er of gravity of the ma terial before the ladle is bodily lifted. These constitute important advantages of the present invention.

It Will be understood that the lad les 3 may be mounted on movable carriers if desired and that other changes may be made in the construction and operation of the ladles without departing from the spirit of our invention or scope of our broader claims.

We claim:

.1. In an apparatus of the character described, a rotatable ladle of the closed type, eccentrically mountedtrunnions on the ends thereof, open top bearings adapted to cooperate with said trunnions, and means for producing an initial rotational movement about said trunnions to shift the center of gravity of the material within the ladle and to thereafter elevate the ladle and discharge its contents, substantially as described.

2. In an apparatus of the character'described, a rotatable ladle of the closed type, an eccentrically mounted trunnion on each end of said ladle, a stop cooperating-jg with said trunnions to normally hold the ladle in position to receive molten metal, a stand, a bearing carried by said ladle and adapted to cooperate with said stand, and means for initially rotating said ladle about said trunnions and thereafter moving said bearing into engagement with said stand to discharge the contents thereof, substantially as described. s

3. In an apparatus of the character described, a rotatable ladle of the closed type,

an eccentrically mounted trunnion on each end of said ladle, a stop cooperating with said trunnions to normally hold the ladle in position to receive molten metal, a stand, a bearing carried by said ladle and adapted to cooperate with said stand, means for initially rotating said ladle about said trunsaid trunnions to shift the center of gravity of the material within the ladle and to thereafter elevate the ladle and discharge its contents, and a pivotally mounted delivery spout cooperating with said ladle, substantially as described. 7

In testimony whereof we have hereunto set our hands.

ALFRED G. NELSON. EDGAR J. REILLY. 

